Firstlight Network
Powerco will be the new owner of Firstlight Network, the company that supplies electricity to Tairāwhiti and Wairoa, with the transaction to take place on 31 July 2026.
Read the news announcement here.
Over time, Firstlight Network will be integrated with the Powerco business, however this process will take some months.
Powerco is committed to keeping the Tairāwhiti and Wairoa communities fully informed when systems and processes enable Firstlight Network to become integrated with Powerco systems and what that means for customers and communities.
Why did Powerco want to purchase Firstlight Network?
We looked at the business when it was first on the market in 2022. As was our view then, we believe there’s an opportunity to utilise the skills and resources within Powerco to further strengthen the performance of this electricity network for the local communities and their people.
We believe the most efficient and cost effective way for local communities to receive reliable, resilient and affordable electricity now and in the future, is through having an electricity distribution company that has the capability and capacity to deliver. With about 363,000 homes and businesses across the North Island already connected to our electricity network, we have the scale, capability and capacity, along with innovative solutions and experience working with communities, to make the necessary long-term investments and lead a sustainable energy transition for the Tairāwhiti and Wairoa communities.
What will be different in the short-term?
Nothing will change in the short-term. Tairāwhiti and Wairoa customers and communities will continue to be looked after by the team at Firstlight Network as they are now. They will be supported by the wider Powerco team who are experienced in serving communities, from urban to rural and remote, throughout the North Island.
Customers in Tairāwhiti and Wairoa:
- Continue to call Firstlight Network’s 24/7, 0800 206 207 faults line to report outages or receive outage information.
- Firstlightnetwork.co.nz is still the place to go to find information about your local electricity network, including:
- Planned and unplanned outage information
- Residential and commercial connections
- Requesting asset location information
- Tree-trimming
- Transporting a high load
- Close approach consents
- Horizon Services (formerly called ElectriNet) will continue to respond to customer faults in the Firstlight Network area.
- No change to the electricity distribution portion of customer power bills. The distribution and transmission lines charges that came into effect on 1 April 2026 will continue. Any new pricing for lines companies, including Firstlight Network and Powerco, is effective from 1 April each year, with the next review being in early 2027.
What will be different in the longer-term?
The intention is that Firstlight Network will eventually become Powerco – including the name – however this process is likely to take some months. This is because Firstlight Network and Powerco have very different outage control technology and data systems to operate their respective electricity networks.
These are complex systems that are going to take time to integrate. It’s important that we don’t rush this technological integration and cause disruption to customers.
What won’t change?
Powerco people are proud to be part of the communities they live and work in and know that the best way to manage an electricity network is to have local people serving local communities.
Local people, based in Tairāwhiti and Wairoa, will continue to work with Powerco on the Firstlight Network. Those local people will be supported by Powerco’s ability and experience for already serving communities across geographically large and diverse regions.
What does it mean for the Tairāwhiti and Wairoa communities?
Connecting communities
Powerco’s purpose is to connect communities. We understand community identity matters and acknowledge the unique identity and mana of the Firstlight Network region – the first to see the sun. This essence of place, pride and connection will be preserved through a local presence in your community and tailored engagement.
You can be assured too that we will continue to support local events, community initiatives and marae-based engagement, as well as offer our Community Fund and Replant for Tomorrow Fund to support local and regional priorities .
Our prices are regulated to ensure they’re fair
The Commerce Commission regulates and oversees the electricity distribution industry, and we work with them to ensure we provide a reliable electricity supply at a fair price to you.
As with other electricity distribution companies, we update our prices each year (effective from 1 April) to make sure we can continue to meet electricity demand as the communities we serve continue to grow, and the way our customers use electricity changes.
The overall impact on your electricity bill depends on things like how and when you use electricity and how your retailer (the company you pay your power bill to) chooses to pass our charges on to you.
Powerco’s promise to you
With customers at the centre of everything it does, Powerco’s customer commitments show the standards it holds itself to and how it ensures, and measures, your satisfaction with the mahi it does. Learn more.
The pillars of Powerco’s work
Powerco is committed to balancing the needs of our people, communities, environment and business. Its five pou (pillars) guide it on its sustainability journey, representing the five focus areas of its work and the goals the company want to achieve for each. Learn more.
What does it mean for suppliers and payments?
We value the association with Firstlight Network suppliers and intend to continue with the current working relationship without interruption. From 31 July 2026, all orders and trade operations previously handled by Firstlight Network Limited will be carried out by Powerco Limited. You can expect to receive notification from Powerco about updating your account records and how to submit invoices for payment.
We will also be notifying you about updating bank account details if you have been making payments to Firstlight Network. Existing contracts will be transferred and assumed by Powerco Limited.
If you are a supplier or have a payment set up with Firstlight Network and have questions regarding this change, please contact accounts.receivable@powerco.co.nz.
How will we know what’s happening?
We’re committed to keeping you informed about milestones in the integration process along the way, including through the Powerco and Firstlight Network websites.
